Climbing · Worth knowing

The International Paralympic Committee has released the official qualification pathway for Para Climbing's debut at the LA28 Paralympic Games in August 2028. Eighty climbers—40 men and 40 women across four sport classes—will compete for eight medal events. Athletes will qualify through two pathways: the 2027 World Climbing Para Championship in Brno (12 men and 12 women qualify) and a 2028 World Climbing Para Qualifier event (24 men and 24 women qualify). Each country has a maximum quota of two athletes per medal event and eight per gender overall, with the USA receiving host country allocation slots only if their climbers don't qualify directly. World Climbing Vice President Pierre You called the approved pathway "momentous," marking a major milestone for Para Climbing's inclusion on sport's biggest stage.

Alfreddo Webber, a 49-year-old climber from Italy, is now developing into a 9a climber after returning to the sport following a serious accident in 2013. Working full-time in a quarry, he has climbed four 8c routes in the past year, including Reini's Vibes 8c+ in Arco. In an interview with Pareti Magazine, Webber shared that his training strategy involves twice-weekly sessions on his home wall focusing on long sequences and crimp hangs, combined with careful energy management rather than raw power. He credits self-knowledge and efficient training for his late-career progression, noting that at his height of 1.59m, he prefers overhangs where he can find creative sequences despite being less powerful than in his youth.

Gerome Pouvreau completed Alex Megos' Supercrackinette 9a+ in St Léger, following Adam Ondra's earlier flash of the route. Florence Pinot sent La ligne claire 8c+ the day after. Isabelle Faus achieved the first female ascent of Delusion of Grandeur 8B and subsequently sent Electric Ant 8A+ in Chironico, describing it as one of her best climbing days. Julia Chanourdie sent her second 9a, Molasse'son, in Mollans, a 45-degree overhanging route requiring intense finger strength. On climbing technique, flexibility expert Klaus Isele and Adam Ondra emphasize that effective stretching requires holding positions for two minutes rather than 40 seconds, with daily repetition needed to see results within approximately two weeks. Ondra, who has systematized stretching since childhood, attributes part of his climbing success to exceptional flexibility developed through consistent training.